John Conlee

One of the most respected vocalists to emerge during the urban cowboy era, John Conlee was known for his superb taste in material and his distinctively melancholy voice. Conlee was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Versailles, KY, in 1946, and took up the guitar as a child, performing on local radio at age ten. He went on to sing with the town barbershop chorus, but didn't initially pursue music as a career, instead becoming a licensed mortician. He also worked as a disc jockey at numerous area radio stations, and made important industry connections via that area when he moved to Nashville in 1971. Five years later, Conlee's demo tape got him a contract with ABC. He released a few singles, but didn't find acceptance until 1978's "Rose Colored Glasses," a song he'd co-written with a newsman at his radio station, rocketed into the country Top Five. Conlee spent the next decade or so scoring hit after hit, nearly all of them helmed by producer Bud Logan. He had two number ones in 1979 alone -- "Lady Lay Down" and "Backside of Thirty" -- and four number two hits through 1981, which included "Before My Time," "Friday Night Blues," "She Can't Say That Anymore," and "Miss Emily's Picture." Conlee returned to the top of the charts three times over 1983-1984 with "Common Man," "I'm Only in It for the Love," and "In My Eyes," and had his last number one in 1986 with "Got My Heart Set on You." All told, Conlee made the Top Ten 19 times through 1987, when he moved from MCA to Columbia and reached the Top Five with "Domestic Life." Never much for touring, Conlee subsequently curtailed his recording activities as well, instead devoting his time to charity work (often on behalf of American farmers), raising his family, and running his own farm outside Nashville. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

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Good for you Shane. You have learned at a early age to be your own man. Just because everyone else is doing something don't make it right for everyone. You sound like me when I was a kid. have you tried Crosby, Stills and Nash? With them it was still about the music. Sweet Judy blue eyes was one of there best. you won't be disappointed.

I love John and his music. Now since I am a freshman in high school, I stand out severely. The main reason, my music preferences. They like rap and reggae and pop, I like classic country, rock 'n' roll (Like, the ORIGINAL rock 'n' roll, The Everly Brothers, Chubby Checkers, you know) and classic rock ( which I guess is describing bands like ACDC, Def Leppard, Journey and such). But you know what, I at least can say I have a taste in music, not listening to people talking about smoking weed and

I wish there was more country music now days like this I drive truck so the radio is a good friend to me but unless there is a good oldies country I don't listen the crap that passes as country now is awful makes me almost ashamed to wear boots and jeans

Rocking with you, Momma's rockin chair, and so many others. Today's "country" is almost as bad as rap. It's a poor excuse for music. John Conlee is pure county sound. Great job for singing great songs that bring back awesome memories Mr. Conlee.